Biden: 'Only Turks are going to be able to solve their problem'

By REID J. EPSTEIN

06/04/2013 09:01 PM EDT

Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that “only Turks” can defuse the political protests engulfing Turkey, and said the United States urges government officials to refrain from violence and crackdowns on gatherings and the media.

“As you all know, there’s violent protests in the streets of Turkey, which raises concerns around the world, including in my own country,” Biden said. “To state the obvious, only Turks are going to be able to solve their problem, but the United States stands for certain clear principles in these circumstances: nonviolence from both government and demonstrators; respect for the freedom of assembly and a free and independent press.”

Biden said Turkey will only thrive as an open society.

“Turkey’s future belongs to the people of Turkey and no one else,” he said. “But the United States does not pretend to be indifferent to the outcome because we firmly believe that countries with open societies, political systems and economies, democratic institutions and a firm commitment to universal human rights, these are the countries that will thrive and be the most powerful countries in the 21st century.”

Biden also praised Erdogan for re-establishing relationship with Israel and said Turkey and the United States agree on “on all the major issues” even if there are disagreements about tactics.